GIB conservation gets a boost as Environment Minister reviews habitat protection in Kachchh

New Delhi: Conservation efforts for the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) in Gujarat’s Kachchh region received a fresh push with Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav visiting the species’ habitat at Naliya and reviewing measures to protect and restore its landscape.

During his visit, Yadav inaugurated a Soft Release Centre for the Great Indian Bustard, flagged off 33 new patrolling and rescue vehicles and reviewed ongoing habitat-management work involving the Gujarat Forest Department, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Border Security Force (BSF) and local communities.

The visit also covered afforestation, mangrove restoration and coastal livelihood initiatives in Sayara and Jakhau.

At Naliya, the Minister was briefed on conservation work being undertaken across the GIB landscape of Kachchh.

Around 11 sq. km. of grassland infested with Prosopis juliflora has been restored, while 30 km. of predator-proof fencing covering 15 sq. km. has been raised.

A notable intervention involves replacing infertile eggs laid by wild GIB females with viable eggs from the conservation breeding programme. The chick resulting from the second such attempt has survived beyond the critical first three months in the wild, marking an important development for GIB recovery efforts in Gujarat.

Yadav also interacted with officials and stakeholders involved in the conservation programme and sought continued support from local communities through a Khatala Sabha.

The Minister appreciated the coordinated efforts of the Gujarat Forest Department and WII and flagged off 33 patrolling and rescue vehicles for use across divisions under the Kachchh Forest Circle.

The vehicles will support forest protection, wildlife monitoring, field patrolling and quick-response operations.

At Sayara, Yadav visited the Hariyalu Gram plantation and reviewed the Sayara Van Kavach initiative.

Developed across 9.46 sq. km., the initiative follows the Miyawaki method of dense, multi-layered afforestation. More than 10,000 saplings representing 47 native species suited to the saline and low-water conditions of Kachchh have been planted.

The model is expected to help lower local temperatures by 1.5–2°C, support groundwater recharge and reduce soil erosion. It is also expected to provide habitat for birds, insects and small wildlife.

Beyond ecological benefits, the site is being developed with potential for eco-tourism, environmental education and local employment.

Yadav undertook plantation at the site and inaugurated the Sayara Van Kavach. An MoU was also exchanged with the Deendayal Port Authority for plantation activities. He released the Van Kavach Photobook and interacted with local residents, distributing plant saplings.

At Jakhau, the Minister visited a mangrove nursery and participated in mangrove plantation with around 50 BSF personnel and more than 50 local residents.

He also reviewed mangrove plantation efforts in the Kori Creek and Sir Creek areas through a photo exhibition and visited a seaweed seed bank.

The visit included interaction with experts, seaweed cultivators and beneficiaries of the MISHTI programme, or Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes.

The focus on mangroves and seaweed brings conservation and coastal livelihoods into the same landscape, particularly in a region where communities depend on coastal resources.

The Kachchh visit brought together several strands of environmental management, from protection of the critically important GIB habitat to grassland restoration, predator control, afforestation, mangrove plantation and coastal livelihood activities.

For the Great Indian Bustard, the combination of habitat restoration, conservation breeding, field protection and community participation remains central to improving prospects for the species in Gujarat.

At the same time, initiatives such as Sayara Van Kavach and MISHTI highlight how ecological restoration can be linked with local participation, livelihoods and long-term landscape management.